Page 30 of Beneath the Shadows

“Collapsed out of nowhere?” Suspicion creeps into my voice, the feeling that there’s more to the story lingering in my mind.

His gaze falters briefly, a hint of defensiveness crossing his expression. “Yes. It happened so suddenly. I was still in shock when your father arrived.”

“Stay here,” I say, turning toward my father, who stands nearby, watching everything unfold.

“What happened?” I ask quietly, my eyes fixed on Uncle Gio’s motionless body on the floor.

Dad’s face is etched with worry. “I got here late," he admits. "I found him like this and called for help immediately."

"We need to let them work," I say, fighting to keep my voice steady while panic claws at me from within. The thought of losing him feels unbearable.

A glance at Valentino reveals a crack in his mask. But he quickly regains his composure, surveying the room with an air of cool detachment.

The minutes crawl by painfully slow as we watch the EMTs work with urgency, hooking him up to machines and preparing to transport him to the hospital. “I’ll go with him,” Dad says, already moving to follow the stretcher.

Valentino nods. "I'll handle things here," he states calmly, despite the gravity of the situation.

Pushing past him, I rush to catch up with the EMTs. “Which hospital are you taking him to?” I ask as they load the stretcher into the ambulance.

“Thomas Jefferson,” one of them answers.

“I’ll go home and get Aunt Domenica and Mom,” I add quickly, already turning to go back to my car.

* * *

My hands shake as I race back across the city. I hit the phone button on my steering wheel, calling Enzo, our Consigliere.

“How is he?” he asks, his voice tense.

“It doesn’t look good,” I admit, my voice tight. “I’m heading to get my family.”

“Do you know what happened?”

I tread carefully, avoiding my suspicions for now. “Uncle Gio and Valentino were having lunch. Vigo said he clutched his chest and collapsed. By the time I got there, he was unconscious,” I say, clearing my throat and pushing my emotions aside. “My father’s with them. They’re heading to Thomas Jefferson. We need to send guards.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Enzo replies firmly. “Is Val with them?”

“No. He stayed at the restaurant.”

“He didn’t go with his father?” Enzo’s question is laced with accusation.

“I think he was in shock,” I say, covering for him, though doubt lingers.

We end the call just as I’m pulling up in front of my parents’ house. Across the street, I spot Alessia on her porch.

“Antonio.” She hurries across the street. “Val called and told me what happened.

“Where’s Rico?”

“He’s in the house. I told him I’d stay on the porch.”

“That’s where you should be,” I correct her, my tone firm. “Now’s not the time to be taking off alone.”

“I’m not alone. I’m with you,” she counters, crossing her arms.

“Go back home, Alessia.” I gesture across the street.

“I’m going to the hospital with you,” she says defiantly.

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